Mike Vrabel Calls Out Patriots’ Penalties After 45–17 Win Over Raiders originally appeared on NESN.
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A 45–17 win usually leaves little room for complaints. Mike Vrabel still saw something the Patriots need to fix.
New England’s coach singled out the team’s penalties after Sunday’s rout of the Raiders, warning that a comfortable final score can hide mistakes that may prove costly in a closer game.
“The penalties are ridiculous,” Vrabel said after the win.
The comment stood out because the Patriots had just delivered their strongest offensive performance of the season. Drake Maye threw four touchdown passes and ran for another, while New England piled up 45 points and won its second straight game. But Vrabel made clear that the result did not erase the need for cleaner football.
The Score Did Not Erase The Mistakes
Vrabel said the Patriots were able to overcome their errors against Las Vegas, but he cautioned that they cannot count on doing that every week. His message was less about the margin and more about the habits New England needs to improve before the schedule gets tougher.
THROWBACK W https://t.co/eq0utqo2Gt
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 11, 2026
That distinction matters. A penalty that costs a few yards in a blowout can change a drive in a tight game. The Patriots’ offense was productive enough Sunday to keep scoring, but Vrabel wants the team to avoid giving opponents extra chances or making its own job harder.
The coach also praised the effort players showed while dealing with injuries and lineup adjustments. His postgame assessment held both points at once: New England deserved to enjoy the victory, and it still had details to clean up.
A Strong Win With A Clear Challenge
The Patriots improved to 3–2 and built momentum with consecutive victories over Buffalo and Las Vegas. Maye’s five total touchdowns made the afternoon memorable, but Vrabel’s criticism gave the team a practical focus as it turns toward next week’s game against the Jets.
For New England, the win was a statement. The penalty issue is a reminder that the next step is playing with the same explosiveness and fewer self-inflicted problems. Vrabel was pleased with the result, but he is asking the Patriots to make sure their next win does not require overcoming so many mistakes.
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